Prologue

Dear Andre what a splendid party! The prologue to a bright new year! Quite a night! I'm impressed! Well, one does one's best (raising their glasses) Here's to us! The toast before the sitting, what a pity that the 'Phantom' can't be here! Masquerade! Paper faces on parade Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you! Flash of mauve, splash of puce, fool and king, ghoul and goose Green and black, queen and priest, trace of rouge, face of beast Faces, take your turn, take a ride, on the merry-go-round in an inhuman race Eye of gold, thigh of blue, true is false. Who is who? Curl of lip, swirl of gown, ace of hearts, face of clown Faces, drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned, in the light, in the sound But who can name the face? Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Seething shadows breathing lies Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you! Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes Masquerade! Run and hide, but a face will still pursue you! What a night, what a crowd, makes you glad! Makes you proud! All the creme de la creme! Watching us watching them, and all our fears are in the past! Three months, of relief, of delight! Of Elysian peace! And we can breathe at last! No more notes, no more ghost Here's a health, here's a toast, to a prosperous year To our friends who are here, and may its splendour never fade Three months, what a joy, what a change What a blessed release And what a masquerade Think of it, a secret engagement, look - your future bride! Just think of it! But, why's it secret? What have we to hide? You promised me No Ralph please don't they'll see Well let them see. It's an engagement, not a crime Christine, what are you afraid of? Let's not argue (Let's not argue) Please pretend (I can only hope) You will understand in time (I'll understand in time) Masquerade! Paper faces on parade Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you!